COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of retired Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy Larry Henderson who was tragically killed while working a traffic detail.
Deputy Henderson was struck by a vehicle on Friday afternoon near the University of Cincinnati. He was identified Sunday by Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey, who confirmed that Henderson had been assisting with traffic control when he was fatally hit.
Governor DeWine’s order directs that flags of the United States and the state of Ohio be flown at half-staff on all public buildings and grounds throughout Hamilton County, as well as at the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus. The flags will remain lowered until sunset on the day of Deputy Henderson’s funeral, the date of which has not yet been announced.
Other public buildings and grounds across Ohio may also lower their flags at their discretion for the same period.
The driver accused of hitting Deputy Henderson has been identified as 38-year-old Rodney Hinton Jr., whose son was reportedly shot and killed by a Cincinnati police officer just one day earlier.
Deputy Henderson began his service with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office on June 14, 1991 and dedicated 33 years to law enforcement. Throughout his career, he served in several specialized units, including as an Academy Instructor, Dive Team member, HCPA SWAT officer, FBI Task Force Officer and member of the HCSO Bomb Unit.
In a statement posted on social media, Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey remembered Deputy Henderson’s skills and a trainer of other officers and his ability to make positive connections with people.
“In Deputy Henderson’s early tenure as a Sheriff’s Deputy, I recognized his talent for teaching and presentation. Larry began his journey as a Sheriff’s Office trainer early in his career. He developed an expertise and became an excellent trainer. Subsequently, he trained divisions of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office that included hundreds of deputy sheriffs. His ability to relate to and touch officers’ lives was extraordinary. We will continue to honor Larry’s life of service.”
Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey
To honor his legacy, the department announced that Deputy Henderson’s badge number, #129, will be permanently retired.
